Pages

Aug 31, 2011

These Trails was an acid folk group who released a very rare record in 1973. The lp was released by Sinergia and is probably one of the best Hawaiian lps along with Mu.Prominent members of the group were Margaret Morgan (vocals, guitar and dulcimer), Patrick Cockett (guitar, slide guitar and vocals) and Dave Choy (arp synthesizer, recorder, arrangements and final mix). Margaret Morgan handles most of the lead vocals with Patrick Cockett occasionally chiming in. Morgan’s vocals are dreamy and ideally suited for this kind of organic music (acid folk). Comparisons that come to mind are Linda Perhacs, though Morgan’s vocals are more innocent and angelic and the music on this lp clearly betrays a Hawaiian influence. Many of the songs are relatively pop friendly; this isn’t difficult, challenging music that has to be listened to closely – ie folk guitar virtuousos spinning off long, complex guitar solos or intricate passages with finely tuned arrangements – it’s not that kind of record. The synthesizers give tracks like Of Broken Links an otherworldly sound, unlike anything you’ve ever heard. El Rey Pescador is graced by some light sitar touches and close harmony singing. Read more

Aug 30, 2011

A highly successful Hungarian band in mid-70s – early-80s, Fonograf was founded in late-1973 by six already well-known musicians. Levente Szorenyi (guitar, vocals), Szabolcs Szorenyi (bass) and Janos Brody (steel guitar) came from premier Hungarian beat/rock band Illes, while Laszlo Tolscvay (banjo, harp, keyboards), Mihaly Moricz (guitar) and Oszkar Nemeth (drums) were all members of Tolscvay group.
Newly-formed aggregation decided to play a 100% American music, heavily influenced by country and bluegrass in finest traditions of The Byrds and Flying Burrito Brothers.
Produced a string of five average LPs in the 70s, of which the debut remains their masterpiece.
After a couple of years’ hiatus played at joint gig with Illes and Tolscvay (1982), later issued as a double live LP. Released one more album in 1984.
Apart from recording on their own, were a backing band for several Hungarian singers.

Aug 25, 2011

Dull Knife are one of many early 70's krautrock bands. A lot of these extreme rock bands came out of Germany. I find that the sound of krautrock bands is often hard-rock with a lot of organ and a lot of Gospel influence on some songs. Sought of like Psychedelia with Hard Rock and Gospel. Yeah, that's it. And probably other sutff too! Oops, sorry for confusing you. But Hard rock, Psychedelia and Hard rock are the main components. Although I could say it's definitely true of Dull Knife, it is also true of a lot of other krautrock and other progressive genre bands of that time, i.e. they all sound the same. Read more

Aug 23, 2011

Review by Stephen Thomas Erlewine (allmusic.com):
Peaking at number 60, the resurrected Humble Pie's first album On to Victory was surprisingly successful, allowing the group to have another chance to record an album. The ensuing record, Go for the Throat was nearly identical to On to Victory, as the band ran through a set of bland, arena-ready blues-rock. The only difference was that the songs weren't as good as the last album, and those weren't very good to begin with.

Aug 22, 2011

ROBERT JOHNSON’S SOUL featuring up-and-coming guitar shredder Robert Johnson (yes that’s his real name) is the latest burning blues sensation turning rock fans on their heads at venues and festivals across Texas and beyond.
The Austin, Texas trio’s debut CD ROBERT JOHNSON’S SOUL is a scorching blend of the classic rock greats of the 70’s (ala Jimi Hendrix, Cream, Stevie Ray & Robin Trower) turned up another notch to bring hard rocking blues to a new generation.

Aug 20, 2011

Oh! Pleasant Hope is the sixth, and last, album by Blue Cheer until 1983's The Beast Is Back. This album features less psychedelia and includes more blues-rock, hard rock, with some country rock leanings on some songs. This is an unusual Blue Cheer album in that Dickie Peterson only sings lead on three songs. Another unusual aspect is that the song "I'm the Light" features extensive use of the sitar and synthesizer, although on the previous album The Original Human Being the song "Babaji (Twilight Raga)" also featured extensive use of the aforementioned instruments.

Aug 18, 2011

ICE is a German Progressive rock trio (bass-vocals, guitar & drums) that plays a simple and melodic, occasionally bluesy music with great emphasis or somewhat close to PINK FLOYD. Reissued by the Garden Of Delights label, "Opus One" (1980) is a particularly rare album, displaying a music very much influenced by the Seventies.

Aug 12, 2011

Toad's final album, Dreams was full of potential but, sadly, languished in the wake of bigger '70s acts like Led Zeppelin and Deep Purple. It's a shame, too, because much of what was there was the best work of the band's career. Normally Toad brought in guest singers to helm the vocal duties, but Dreams found powerhouse guitarist Vittorio Vergeat (aka "Vic") on the mike for all of the album's tracks -- and the kid was pretty darn good. Why Vergeat was so keen on handing off the microphone to others is a mystery, since his thin and reedy voice was tailor-made to sit perfectly in Toad's alternately heavy and pastoral arrangements. Just give opening track "Keep on Movin'" a spin and you'll wonder why they felt the need to pull Bens Jaeger on board for their debut album's lead vocals. The rest of the band was in tip-top shape as well, delivering both the hard-rockin' tracks and the acoustic ballads with equal facility. Maybe not the finest power trio in rock history, but certainly worthy of more than a footnote in its obscuro chapter.

Aug 11, 2011

Thunderhead is a southern rock band formed in New Orleans. With the help of Johnny and Edgar Winter's signature production, they were signed in 1974 to ABC/Dunhill with only one official self-titled release. The album was most known for its single "Busted In Georgia". The final album was re-recorded by The Doors producer and engineer John Haeny. The band featured future Johnny Winter band members, Bobby Torello, and Pat Rush. Pat Rush later performed with Johnny Winter and The Jeff Healey Band. Bobby Torello also went on to perform with acts such as Johnny Winter, Rainbow, Michael Bolton, Black Oak Arkansas, Grace Slick, and John Schneider.

Aug 10, 2011

This is the first album of the Hard Rock outfit that goes by the name of BULL ANGUS. Heavy riffing guitars, sharp bass lines and great vocals all the way.
Not unlike GRAND FUNK RAILROAD, the band has the ability to write great melodies and mix them with long explosive instrumental parts and amazing guitar leads.

Aug 5, 2011

Ten Years After guitarist Lee teamed up with gospel crooner LeFevre for a session that could be best described as hard spiritual rock. It was recorded at George Harrison's studio. The 1973 album features guest shots from George Harrison, Stevie Winwood, Ronnie Wood, and Jim Capaldi, among others.

Aug 4, 2011

Formed in Sydney in 1970 out of The Dave Miller Set, this was one of Australia's top early seventies acts. They played a sort of rock boogie with pulsating piano and were extremely popular live and their discs, especially Boppin' The Blues, which was a No. 1 hit, sold well. Having signed to Festival in 1970, the label promptly encouraged them to record their debut album Mountains Of Madness on which the magnum opus was Seasons Of Change, which John had actually written for Fraternity. Festival decided to release it as a 45 and it was a Top Twenty hit in 1971. Also of note on the album were the heavy psycher On This Day That I Die, the Spanish-tinged Mango's Theme, the thunderous Long Legged Lovely, notable for some superb guitar work from Robinson and the complex The Rat (Suite).Read more

Aug 3, 2011

A tribute to guitar legend TOMMY BOLIN (of Deep Purple and James Gang fame), Mister Bolin’s Late Night Revival features renditions of 17 previously unreleased tracks written by Bolin prior to his untimely passing in 1976. Over 4 years in the making, Mister Bolin’s Late Night Revival features more than 50 singers, musicians, and producers creating a broad spectrum of tracks that solidify Tommy Bolin’s legacy as a prolific song writer.Featuring tracks from: Eric Martin, Doogie White, Jeff Pilson, Derek St. Holmes, Shooting Star, Randy Jackson, Robin McAuley, Kimberly Dahme and many more.

Aug 1, 2011

The Original Human Being (or BC#5) is Blue Cheer's fifth album. It was released in 1970 and shows Blue Cheer exploring a more psychedelic and laid‑back rock 'n' roll with horn sections on a few of the songs. This album features a very unusual, and different, song for Blue Cheer: "Babaji (Twilight Raga)", which features extensive use of sitar and synthesizer. These instruments were only used one other time in the song "I'm the Light" on the album Oh! Pleasant Hope.